At the county level, the energy use reduction and environmental steps that Fairfax County took over the last few years have made a difference.

"Fairfax County Government consumed less energy for operations and produced fewer greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal year 2023 than it has in any year since it started tracking data – a significant indicator in the county’s efforts to become carbon neutral by 2040," it stated on the county website.

To reduce energy use and pollution, the county did things like investing in electric trash trucks and electric vehicles of other sorts, adopted solar energy at some of the new and existing buildings, and switched to encouraging reusable bags at the grocery stores, to name a few.

The county also asks for environmental help on the residential level and is recognizing good practices with the "2024 Environmental Excellence Awards," aimed at things that can be done for the local environment. They collected 16 award nominations this year, which is more than the 11-12 they received in the last four years of the program.

According to the award instructions, the county will recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and county employees who advance or support the county's environmental goals. The Environmental Excellence Awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with support from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. The county will announce the 2024 awards later this summer or in the fall, they said. The awardees receive a framed certificate and a glass globe award.

Past Winners

Last year, the award winners included Mei Torrey, a Langley High School student who addressed the plastic shopping bag issue; Hugh Whitehead, an Urban Forester with the Urban Forest Management Division who conducted a tree planting event; Joseph Gorney who worked on designating Reston as “biophilic” community; and Craig Carinci at DPEWS who addressed stream health.

In the 2023 Organization and Business Category, the awards went to “Trace - The Zero Waste Store,” in Vienna for a show their employee Mala Persaud co-hosts called "Recycling: Ask Me Anything." 

The Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association Grounds Committee was also recognized for their work on this community near Huntington.

Fairfax County Data Highlights:

Overall greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, including from electricity, natural gas and vehicle fuel, is down more than 25% compared to the baseline in FY 2018.

Total electricity use is down 7% from the prior fiscal year, driven in large part by the conversion of streetlights to LEDs, and energy-related equipment upgrades.

Reduced costs from energy reductions at county facilities are estimated to be $5 million per year.